Ashley Points 101

Hey, you! You reading this! Are you part of the MOST SPIRITED organization on campus? Of course you are - now you just have to prove it! And the only way to do that during Homecoming week is by racking up Ashley Points. 

You've heard about the coveted Ashley Award, but we've got the inside scoop on where it came from, what it means, and how YOU can get your hands on it.

The Ashley Award is the highest honor given to Homecoming participants. Mr. Ray Ashley was a member of the Ball State University Alumni and Development Staff and devoted 16 years to the promotion of Homecoming activities. This award recognizes student organizations that take an active and spirited part in Homecoming Week. 

Awards will be given to the Greek, Independent, Residence Halls, and Overall Winners. Ashley points are earned through attendance and participation in all activities during the week's events. So attend all/many Homecoming events to rep your organization or residence hall. At the fall information meeting University Singers, Lambda Chi Alpha, and StuWest all had the most members turn out for the event. Now the only question is, who will be the 2012 champs?

Remember, the next chance for your organization to earn Ashley Points is the Royalty Fashion Show on October 1, at 6:30PM in Pruis Hall.

If you have any questions, contact Erica Wurst at homecoming@bsu.edu. And don't forget to Play Your Cards Right!

Got Talent?

It's that time again! Time to bring the brightest stars of Ball State University to one stage at the annual Student Scholarship Talent Search! We sat down with Talent Search chairman, Megan Johnston, to get all the details on how YOU can become the next big thing.

What is Talent Search? 

Talent Search is a scholarship competition that showcases the best talent that Ball State has to offer.

When is Talent Search? 

Talent search is Tuesday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.

What is the audition process like?

The audition process is used to show off your talent in front of judges and myself at the Alumni Center for 2 to 4 minutes. Auditions will take place Monday and Tuesday, September 24-25. If you are selected to perform in the show, you will be notified by email.

Who can participate? 

Anyone and Everyone with talent!

What kind of acts are accepted?

Dance, Female Vocal, Male Vocal, Instrumental, Musical Group, Freestyle, Acoustic, and Original Composition.

What is the prize for winning?

Each category winner will receive a $500 Scholarship. The overall winner will receive an additional $500 scholarship. Scholarships will be applied to Spring 2013 Semester tuition. All scholarship awards are provided by the Ball State University Alumni Association.

For more information, contact Megan at homecoming@bsu.edu. And don't forget you Play Your Cards Right, Cardinals!

Break out your crowns & tiaras, royalty is here.

Hear ye, hear ye! It's time to decide who is the fairest of them all. Royalty voting starts THIS MONDAY! Royalty chairman, Heather Closson, has got you covered with everything needed to make your candidate the next Homecoming King and Queen....

The King/Queen candidates can be viewed both on the Ball State Homecoming Facebook page and on the Ball State Homecoming webpage.

The Top 10 candidates are determined by YOU, the students, through online voting! You can vote online between Sept. 17-21; the link can be found at here  or in your e-mail inbox. Just a reminder- you MUST be connected to the Ball State server (internet) in order to vote!

The Royalty Fashion Show is Monday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Pruis Hall. During the show, the TOP TEN royalty candidates will be announced (results from online voting held September 17-21). Admission is $1 at the door. This is a chance for your organization to earn Ashley Points and to also cheer on your Royalty Candidate friends as they display their creative costumes on stage. There will be awards for the Best Dressed candidates, as well as the Crowd Favorite!

If you are selected to be in the Top 10 candidates, you represent Ball State and homecoming at a variety of socials, dinners, and at all homecoming events until the day of Air Jam. The 2012 Homecoming King, Queen, and their courts will be crowned at Air Jam on Thursday, October 11 at 9:00 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. Once the King, Queen, and courts have been selected, they are invited to be a part of the homecoming parade on the Saturday before the football game.

If you have any further questions, contact Heather at homecoming@bsu.edu. And don't forget to Play Your Cards Right!

Residence Halls - Listen Up!

Is dorm life the life for you? Well then we have a must-see video for you! Here is Residence Hall Chairman, Robert Saxon, explaining everything you need to know as a student living in a residence hall for Homecoming. He's covering the picture hunt, the residence hall dinner and how else you can get involved in Ball State's Fabulous Homecoming. Check it out!

If you have any more questions, email Robert at homecoming@bsu.edu. And don't forget to Play Your Cards Right! Chirp Chirp!

Introducing...The Homecoming Village!

Hello, Cardinals!

It's officially Homecoming season! This year we're kicking things off with a BRAND NEW Homecoming Village on Opening Day. I've asked Opening Day co-chairs, Abby Marsh and Jordan Habayeb to better explain the event in a short Q&A. This is one part of Ball State's fabulous Homecoming that you don't want to miss!

What is the Homecoming Village?
The Homecoming Village is a first of its kind event! The event, open to the community and students, will be a chance to kick off Homecoming week with all your friends at a massive street festival. Attendees can also visit the shops in the village and enjoy food and drink specials.



What activities are at the village?
We will have a Zip Line, Rock Climbing Wall, Poker Tournament, Photo booth, live bands all night, booths from local media, games, free popcorn, cotton candy & more.

How much does it cost?
The event is free for students, including the Zip Line! Community members will be charged for the Zip Line. 



When and where is it?
The event will be Monday, October 8 from 7-10 PM on Martin Street in-between Riverside and University Aves. We encourage everyone to get there right at 7 for a special kick-off! 



What is the poker tournament? 


The poker tournament is FREE and we will have several tables available for tournament members, however you must pre-register by Sept. 27. You must have previous knowledge of how the game is played. If you are just interested in learning how to play, we will have tables available for those individuals as well. Prizes will be awarded to the winners at each table.


For more information, please contact Jordan and Abby at homecoming@bsu.edu. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter (@BSUhomecoming) and Like us on Facebook (Ball State Homecoming).

Join us at the fall information meeting on Sept. 11 at 9:30 PM in the Alumni Center for information on all the Homecoming events. The meeting is your first chance for your organization to receive Ashley Points. We will also have FREE pizza and Info Packets with entry forms!

Until next time, don't forget to Play Your Cards Right!

Play Your Cards Right

Welcome to Fabulous Ball State Homecoming! That's right- we're doing Vegas, Cardinal style for 2012! Things are already underway to make this the best Homecoming yet. The Steering Committee is hard at work brainstorming new events and exciting prizes to make this the ultimate experience for every Ball State student.

Our Royalty candidates have been selected and can be viewed here. Looks like we have another all-star cast representing over 49 student organizations!

Make sure you're liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter for all your up to date Homecoming 2012 news! And contact us at homecoming@bsu.edu with any questions or comments!

Have a great summer, Cardinals! And get ready to Play Your Cards Right!

Chirp, Chirp!

Kristin Slevin
Outreach Chairman

Welcome to the 2012 Homecoming Steering Committee

Congratulations to the 2012 Homecoming Steering Committee! Click here to learn more about each member of the committee, and stay tuned for more updates!

Brittany Williams

General Chairman

Welcome, Welcome!!

Welcome to the Official Blog of BSU Homecoming!

The Steering Committee is already hard at work planning a Homecoming you'll never forget. We know you're dying to hear this year's theme (trust me, it's a good one!) But before we get to that, there are a couple things we need from YOU!

• LIKE us on Facebook: Ball State Homecoming
• FOLLOW us on Twitter: @BSUhomecoming
• And last, but certainly not least, NOMINATE your 2012 Royalty Candidates! Each organization may nominate one King and one Queen candidate. The cost is $35 for one candidate and $50 for both. Forms are due April 13th to the Alumni Association. Candidates will get their pictures taken when they turn in their forms. Click here more info and forms!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Homecoming 2012!!

Chirp, Chirp!

Kristin Slevin

Outreach Chairman